Archive for the ‘Product Commentaries’ Category

Oil is our skin’s public enemy #1! Blot, strip, seek & destroy all oil off our faces! So we thought… It turns out that certain oils contain the power of superheroes for our skin. Many experts say that oil may actually be the missing link to balanced skin. Oil attracts oil, dirt, and impurities. Thus, it gently and effectively removes makeup, dirt, sweat, and excess sebum. Sebum is the skin’s natural oil that keeps it protected and supple. It is vital not to remove all sebum from your face. Oils cleanse without irritating sensitive skin. A major plus is that oil maintains the skin’s natural level of moisture. Lack of moisture on our skin makes skin look dull and lack luster. Lack of moisture allows fine lines and wrinkles to be more pronounced and compromises supple, radiant skin.

The banishing all oil off our face campaign comes with some problems. Stripping the skin can cause irritation, breakouts, redness and over dryness. Water cannot dissolve oil. Most cleansers contain chemicals to strip oil away. Parabens, surfactants, and sulfates have been controversial ingredients that strip the skin. These ingredients are responsible for the suds produced by cleansers. This can cause skin to become sensitive and problematic. It can leave your skin depleted of its natural oils. If skin is depleted it will produce more oil to balance itself out; the never ending cycle.

Now, oil cleansers target skin from a different angle. They use oil against itself! When you put oil and oil together, they bind to each other. Oil attracts oil. This binding results in an effective deep pore cleansing.

What types of oils produce this effect on our skin? Those oils rich in linoleic acid work best. Oils like safflower, grape seed, and sunflower. As an added bonus, these oils are rich with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Products like Jurlique Purely Age-Defying Nourishing Cleansing Oil and Murad Resurgence Renewing Cleansing Oil contain natural botanical oils that gently cleanse and renew the skin. Softening and conditioning our largest organ of the body.

Most experts agree that oil cleansers work for every skin type and age group. This includes out of balance extreme cases such as acneic, oily, dry, and reactive. So, never fear now that oil is here!

Cold sores, fever blisters, leprosy lips are all names for the dreaded herpes simplex virus. They are the worst! These fluid filled blisters that group together take up to 2 weeks to heal. Once you have the virus in your body you have it for the rest of your life and unfortunately there is not a cure. Luckily there are some treatments that help relieve the pain, swelling and duration of the outbreak. Usually when your body is run down from illness, stress or too much sun exposure a cold sore is likely to form. The first indication is the itchy, tingling feeling. This is a good time to start any sort of treatment. There are topical ointments and oral pills that help speed up the healing process. The next stage is the swelling of the area, this swelling can be pretty extreme and cause bulbous lips for days and lymph nodes to swell. Then there is the “weeping” stage when the fluid from the blisters start to leak and this is when your cold sores are the most contagious. The final stage is the scabbing and healing of the sore. The best way to prevent getting cold sores is living a healthy lifestyle. Get plenty of sleep and protect your lips with an SPF year round. A great lip product is Jane Iredale LipDrink SPF 15 Lip Balm since it helps hydrate and protect the lips with sunscreen and antioxidants. Since there is no cure, prevention is key to keep cold sores at bay.

Are you looking for a night time treatment that will help to tone, correct, and retexture your skin while you are sleeping? Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Nightly Brightening Pads is a new all-in-one treatment that helps to target all signs of aging. This luxurious treatment is made out of eco-friendly bamboo and the pads are saturated with antioxidant-rich organic fruit acids to brighten your complexion. Algae extracts, Vitamin B3 and hyaluronic acid reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation for optimum age-defying results.This product is suitable for all skin types and is gentle on the skin.

Juice Beauty is a wellness brand that values safety and efficacy. Juice Beauty’s mission is to lead the industry with high efficacy and authentically organic beauty products while inspiring the ultimate customer experience. Made in the USA, all of their products contain organic juices bringing their total organic content up to 98%.

Ceramides nourish skin from within and preserve youthful skin. As children and young adults, our bodies manufacture plenty of ceramide molecules to keep our skin healthy, supple, and strong. Ceramides are a major component of our skin’s surface. They protect our skin against moisture loss and support the skin’s matrix. This yields skin that is youthful and supple. The support provided by ceramides keeps skin firm. However, as we age ceramides decline and skin begins to sag and wrinkle.

What is a ceramide? It is a type of lipid found in the cell membrane of cells. The richest concentration of ceramides are found in the epidermis. The epidermis is the outer most layer of the skin that we see every day. Ceramides play an important role. They prevent loss of water through the skin that could lead to dryness and act as a barrier against bacteria and environmental pollutants. Ceramides work in conjunction with lipids like cholesterol, fatty acids, and squalene to provide a critical layer of protection for healthy skin.

There are a few causes for the loss of ceramides as we age: Harsh cleansers disrupt and strip ceramides and lipids. Medications alter ceramide and lipid levels in the epidermis. Diet that lacks essential fatty acids disrupts the levels of ceramides and lipids. Environment and UV rays also contribute to the loss of these essential lipids. Dryness, flakiness, irritation, sensitivity, and redness are side effects of ceramide depletion.

In addition, ceramides are being used to help ease skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Clinical studies have shown that people with such skin conditions naturally produce fewer ceramides in the epidermis compared to people with normal skin. Using products with ceramides is proven to provide considerable relief for these conditions.

We highly suggest First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream that incorporates ceramides with shea butter and colloidal oatmeal to produce an amazing calming, smoothing, hydrating cream that reduce symptoms of eczema, dermatitis, and keratosis pilaris. Free of parabens, harsh chemicals and colorants, this cream really allows relief for those suffering from any sensitivities.

A vitamin C antioxidant serum is a great way to help protect your skin from free radical damage. Over the years antioxidant serums have become an essential part of the skin care regimen. Skinceuticals makes some of the most popular antioxidant serums available. The 2 most popular serums in their brand are the C E Ferulic and the Phloretin CF. As incredible as theses serums are there seems to be some confusion on the differences between them and how each serum functions. Hopefully this information will answer any questions and help you find the best antioxidant serum for you.

The Skinceuticals C E Ferulic serum is exactly what it says. It is a combination of 15% vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), 1% vitamin E (alpha tocopherol) and 0.5% Ferulic acid. This combination of ingredients increases skin photo protective benefits by 4x the normal level. Vitamin C and E are known antioxidants and have been used in skin care products for years. The antioxidant benefits of ferulic have just recently been discovered and are finding their way into more and more skin care products. Ferulic acid is extracted from rice bran oil and not only provides protection from free radicals, but also has sun protection benefits as well. The C E Ferulic provides antioxidant protection, increases firmness and reduces wrinkles. This serum is ideal for a person who has sensitive, normal or dry skin.

The Skinceuticals Phloretin CF is a combination of 10% Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), 2% Phloretin and 0.5% Ferulic acid. As mentioned before, the Ferulic acid is extracted from rice bran oil. Phloretin is extracted from the root bark of apple trees which provides great antioxidant benefits in addition to aiding the serum penetrate deeper into the skin. Phloretin works to correct hyperpigmentation and diminish dullness. This serum is perfect for a person with normal, combination or oily skin.

Both the C E Ferulic and Phloretin CF are applied the same way. Depending on the area you are treating a little goes a long way. If you are just treating your face a few drops will be plenty, you may need more if treating your neck or chest as well. These serums do not really have any “slip and glide” so patting the serum into the skin works best. Allow about a minute for the product to penetrate before applying any other products (Tip: pat any excess serum on the tops of your hands to help prevent aging hands). Once the serum has fully absorbed it stays in the skin for up to 72 hours and cannot be wiped or rinsed off.

A very common question we receive is about the color of the product and how it can vary between batches. The manufacturer states that “any change in color does not affect the efficacy”. Depending on the time of year and batch of ingredients the serums may vary in color of light to darker yellow and have a distinct smell which dissipates after a few minutes. As with most vitamin C serums there is a little tackiness to the touch but once you apply other products and your sunscreen that is no longer a concern. These serums are truly incredible and they have a loyal following of customers. Once you find the right serum for you, we are sure you will fall in love as well.

Dragon’s Blood, also called Croton Lechleri extract, is a bright red resin/sap with a bounty of health benefits. Dominantly found in South America, Dragon’s Blood has been used for centuries by the indigenous people for many types of health issues. It is extracted from the trees by making diagonal cuts with a machete and allowing the sap/resin to seep out. It is then collected and refined. Health benefits include various skin conditions, gastro intestinal ailments, digestive and respiratory disorders. Today, we are going to concentrate on the health benefits for the skin.

Throughout the Amazon rainforest, Dragon’s blood, called both Sangre de Drago and Sangre de Grado, is the primary topical aid for just about anything bad that can happen to skin. Cuts, bites, burns, stings, rashes, abrasions, sores, wounds and skin conditions of all kinds benefit from application of the healing red resin of this tree. Dragon’s blood has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. These properties help sufferers of acne, eczema, and psoriasis. Dragon’s blood is widely used on infectious skin conditions of all kinds with great success. It is rich in protective antioxidant phenols, and anti-inflammatory compounds of various kinds. Due to these compounds, Dragon’s blood sap/resin helps to protect the cells of the skin and reduces redness and swelling. It also contains a group of compounds called proanthocyanidins, which actually repair collagen, the main protein that makes up much of our tissues. Additionally, Dragon’s blood contains taspine, a known tissue-healing agent.

In addition, Dragon’s Blood has been clinically studied for its benefits. Studies regarding this plant date back to the late 1970s. Dragon’s blood is found in several pharmaceutical products, some of them patented.

Rodial Skin Care is a premier skincare line that features Dragon’s Blood as a main ingredient in their formulations. Rodial Dragon’s Blood Sculpting Gel is an innovative product that actually acts like a second skin. This skin-like film effectively protects, reduces redness and firms for a smoother, plumper and youthful looking complexion.

Clinical results of this product:

-Trial volunteers saw an increase in skin elasticity by 92% in 3 months

-Trial volunteers saw a reduction in skin sagging by 72% in 3 months

-Skin is dramatically defined and volumized

-Skin is firmer around the jaw line and cheek bones with improved tonicity

Dragon’s Blood is truly a gem from South America. Its benefits are becoming world renowned and the applications continue to expand and grow. We will continue to hear about this magic resin for years to come!

The new T3 Twirl 360 is the newest machine for beautiful, effortless curls. This revolutionary device curls your hair for you with one simple motion. The 1.25 ” barrel automatically rotates around your sectioned strand of hair giving you a beautiful, flawless, polished curl with every twirl. This item can be used on all hair types and will not harm the hair.

People have been using coconuts for a wide range of uses for thousands of years. In the Philippines people have been using coconut oil for beauty, health, diet and even as an alternative fuel for cars. Just recently people in the U.S. are discovering ways to introduce coconut oil into their lives. With all of the benefits that coconut oil offers it is a wonder why we haven’t started using coconut oil sooner. Coconuts are rich in lauric acid which essentially is a saturated fat. It is a disinfectant, anti-microbial and is anti-viral. Coconut oil may be consumed and used to cook with or added to tea/coffee as a natural creamer. An added benefit is that coconut oil will give you energy and can be used for weight management. When used in the hair, coconut oil penetrates the roots and addresses dandruff or cradle cap for babies. It also aids skin concerns such as rosacea, keratosis pilaris and eczema. All types of skin can benefit from using coconut oil! It also works great as an eye makeup remover, you can even brush your teeth with it and use it on babies as a natural diaper cream. The RMS Beauty Raw Coconut Cream is an excellent way to introduce coconut into your regimen to find all the ways you can use this multitasking product. Enjoy!

Have you ever watched red carpet events and wondered what the stars do to their skin to make it so radiant and beautiful? Most would answer achieving and maintaining healthy skin. Natural and flawless skin depends on two main factors. The first is your overall health and wellness and the second is your everyday products that you use on your skin. Maintaining your body by staying hydrated and eating well contribute to healthy skin. Your everyday products improve and reinforce the health of your skin. Epionce is a well-respected and clinically proven line that delivers the beauty of healthy skin. This non-prescription, dermatological product line has 20+ years of research. Epionce is a comprehensive and innovative skin wellness line designed to optimize the appearance and health of the skin by working at the core of the skin’s own protective and reparative systems.

Why is this important? Most skin care products remain on the skin’s surface and provide no real therapeutic benefit. Epionce has a unique delivery system that penetrates deep into the layers of the skin. Epionce strengthens, improve skin’s function, restores the skin’s natural barrier, and reverses inflammation. Inflammation can lead to skin problems such as scars, redness, irritation, and aging. The result of using Epionce products is smoother, more radiant skin that functions at its very best.

The price point is very reasonable and the line is easy to use. Mix and matching within the Epionce system will help you customize your skin care regimen to meet your specific skin care needs; targeting specific conditions such as dryness, acne, etc.

Look no further, finally an all-in-one mask that purifies, helps refine, decongests, and hydrates the skin all at the same time! Irish Moor Mud by Peter Thomas Roth contains 9,000 year old black moor mud which draws out dirt, oil, impurities. While also minimizing pores, lines, wrinkles, and leaving the skin hydrated. Most mud masks leave the skin feeling dry or stripped, this mask contains Black Hijiki Seawood that provides vital nutrition and hydration.

-Irish Moor Mud – The result of the natural decomposition of herbs, flowers and plants over a period of thousands of years, this mud paste has an unusually high concentration of purifying bio-minerals, trace elements, vitamins, amino acids, and fatty acids.

-Hijiki Seaweed – This black sea vegetable grows wildly along the coasts of Japan, Korea and China and has been used abundantly for centuries. Provides nutrition and hydration and contains high levels of calcium, iron, and vitamins B1, B2, and C.

Best used 2-3 times a week, apply the mask with your fingertips evenly among your face, neck and décolletage. It can be left on for up to 10 minutes. Remove the mask with a warm damp wash cloth. If any residue is left over it can be rinsed off.